“The Gay Drive for Acceptance”

At a time when the gay rights movement was challenging state laws criminalizing homosexuality, and it was illegal for homosexuals to serve in the military, TIME put Sgt. Leonard Matlovich, one of the first crusaders to fight for the acceptance of gays in the military, on the cover. The story notes one concrete sign of the growing “acceptance” of homosexuality: gay bars, once seedy places, became “bright and booming” nightlife spots.